Press Release: 47th Annual Greatest of the Grape
Subject: Southern Oregon Wine Awards
On Saturday, March 4, 2017 the 47th Annual Greatest of the Grape event was presented by the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association at Seven Feathers Casino Resort. This is the oldest celebration and recognition of wine and food pairing the Northwest which began 47 years ago. The gala event is organized by a group of volunteers that are members of the UVWA and those supportive of the local wine industry.
Ali Spens, with Umpqua Bank, chaired the 2017 Greatest of the Grape this year and is quoted as saying “we had a sellout crowd and everyone was having fun, enjoying the great wine and delicious, creative food pairings to the sounds of the band Timberwolf. The space was fabulously decorated by Andrew Calvert owner of The Perfect Occasion, creating an elegant evening”.
This year we had 21 wineries from the Umpqua Valley present to pour their wine. Six wineries from Southern Oregon also participated in this year’s Greatest of the Grape.
Thank you to the major sponsors of this year’s event: Wm. Henri Development Company, Umpqua Bank, CHI Mercy Health, Duncan & Associates/D A Davidson, and Seven Feathers Casino Resort.
The Wheel of Wine is an opportunity to spin for a special bottle of wine. The wine is donated by participating wineries and all the proceeds collected go to the scholarship fund for students attending the Southern Oregon Wine Institute in Roseburg.
Before a gathering of 800 people, awards were given out in two major categories: the Professional Wine Judges Awards and the People’s Choice Awards.
The Professional Wine Judges spend the day before the event tasting the wines submitted by 27 wineries from the Umpqua Valley and Southern Oregon. This year’s judges were Tamara Belgard, Michele Francisco and Martin Skegg all currently from the Portland metro area. The results are:
Contact: Jean Kurtz, UVWA staff at (541) 673-5323 or Terry Brandborg 2017 UVWA President at (541) 584-2870.
Professional Judges Awards:
Platinum Medal
Cliff Creek Cellars; 2015 MRC (Marsanne Roussane Viognier)
Gold Medal
Brandborg Winery; 2015 Sauvignon Blanc
Delfino; 2014 Tempranillo
Foris Vineyard; 2014 Pinot Noir
Reustle-Prayer Rock; 2014 Syrah Reserve
Silver Medal
Abacela; 2014 Barrel Select Tannat
Bradley Vineyards; 2015 Riesling
Season Cellars; 2012 Phoenix
Spangler Vineyards; 2013 Cab Franc
Best Food – Professional Judges
Winner; The Parrot House, Roseburg, OR
Runner Up; Tomaselli’s Pastry Mill & Cafe, Elkton, OR
Best Restaurant/Winery Presentation – Decor
Winner; The Parrot House, Roseburg, OR
Runner Up; K-Bar Steakhouse, Canyonville, OR
People’s Choice Awards:
People’s Choice – Best White Wine
Winner; Henry Estate 2016 Müller Thurgau
Runner Up; Freed Estate Winery 2015 Viognier
People’s Choice – Best Red Wine
Winner; Abacela 2014 Barrel Select Tannat
Runner Up; Girardet 2015 Estate Grown Baco Noir
People’s Choice – Food & Wine Pairing
Winner; Hillcrest Vineyard 2014 Ribera and K-Bar Steakhouse’s Sous Vide Venison Loin wilted spinach, roasted red peppers, local berry demi-glace
Runner Up; Reustle-Prayer Rock 2014 Syrah Reserve and The Parrot House’s Tartlet of Duck Breast, White Shoyu & dried blueberry
GREATEST OF THE GRAPE 2017
Cooper Ridge Vineyard 2015 Riesling